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A dominant intellectual force

Gaby Hinsliff, Mark Townsend and Martin Bentham

Westminster mourns sudden death of Labour firebrand

Robin Cook

LONDON: Robin Cook, the former British Foreign Secretary, died in hospital on Saturday night after collapsing while walking in the Scottish hills he loved.

The 59-year-old MP was airlifted to hospital in Inverness on Saturday afternoon after being taken ill while walking with his wife, Gaynor, and friends near the summit of Ben Stack, close to Lochinver, Sutherland.

There were unconfirmed reports last night that he suffered a heart attack and then fell, breaking his neck.

An unnamed friend who was with the MP on the mountain attempted to give Cook mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for 30 minutes before a Coastguard helicopter arrived at the scene.

The helicopter's crew continued efforts to revive Cook on the journey to Raigmore hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4.05 p.m., shortly after arrival.

Cook, who also leaves two sons, Christopher and Peter, was a dominant intellectual force in New Labour. He sealed his reputation for political integrity with his resignation from the Cabinet on the eve of the Iraq war. His death left colleagues in shock, eliciting tributes from across the political spectrum to the man whom John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, described as "the greatest parliamentarian of his generation".

Prime Minister Tony Blair was also quick to pay tribute. "Robin was an outstanding, extraordinary talent — brilliant, incisive in debate, of incredible skill and persuasive power," he said. "His contribution to the politics of Britain was hugely significant. His contribution to the Labour Party was immense. He will be missed and mourned by all of us."

Ironically, friends said Cook had never appeared healthier and happier since leaving office: he was a keen outdoorsman who kept fit by riding and walking.

Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, who had known Cook since they were university students, said his thoughts were with Mrs. Gaynor and the family.

—

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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